419 scam: "Barr. Godwin Addo"<barr_godwinaddo110@att.net> Hello

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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "a security company " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "share the funds upon agreed terms" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "million dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "top secret" (scammers urge victims to keep the transaction secret because they don't want anyone to point out to them that it is a scam)
- "barrister" (Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.)
This email message is a next of kin scam.
Barristers (lawyers) mentioned in 419 scams are always fake.

Fraud email example:

From: "Barr. Godwin Addo" (may be fake)
Reply-To: <esq_godwinaddo1@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 9 Sep 2011 01:59:07 -0000
Subject: Hello

Greetings to you,

I am Barrister. Godwin Addo (Esq.), a legal practitioner. My client was a member board of trustees SPDC London and was killed with his entire family in a fatal accident some years ago, Before his death, I assisted him to deposit the sum of $30 Million ( Thirty Million Dollars) in a Security Company here in Ghana for safekeeping.

The funds have remained unclaimed since his death, Considering the lack of success to locate any of his relatives for over a year now,I hereby solicit your consent to enable me present you as the Next of Kin to my deceased client and you will then give instructions to the Security Company to transfer the deposited funds into another account you will provide, after which we shall then share the funds upon agreed terms.

Finally, Please I would like you to keep this proposal as a top secret and furnish me with the following information which will assist me in this claim,

1) Full Name

2) Home/Office Address

3) Age

4) Marital Status

5) Cell Phone/Fax Number

6) Your Country

7) Occupation

8) Sex

9) Your Company

These information will assist me to secure the necessary papers in your name When I receive your response, I will provide you with further details.

I await your reply.

Barrr.Godwin Addo {Esq.}

5

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What can you do when you receive 419 spam